Outgoing CJI Chandrachud's legacy will continue to be debated: Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi (PTI): Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said outgoing Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's legacy will continue to be debated and as the main petitioner in at least two very important matters, including a legislation being arbitrarily declared a money bill, he has been "deeply disappointed" with the CJI.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been appointed the 51st Chief Justice of India. He will take oath on November 11, a day after incumbent Justice Chandrachud demits office on attaining the age of 65. Friday is the last working day for Chandrachud as CJI.
Justice Chandrachud took over as the CJI on November 8, 2022.
In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Ramesh said, "Today is the last working day for the retiring Chief Justice of India. His legacy will continue to be debated, as indeed it should be."
"Personally, as the main petitioner in at least two very important matters, I have been deeply disappointed. First, the brave judge who in his Sept 2018 dissenting judgment called the Aadhar Bill’s passage as a Money Bill a 'fraud on the Constitution', never constituted a full Bench to examine the issues involved in the matter of legislation being arbitrarily declared by the Modi government, as a money bill under Art 110 of the Constitution just to avoid full debate," Ramesh said.
Chandrachud had promised to do so after taking over as Chief Justice, he said.
"Second, my challenge of the Modi Government’s damaging amendments to the RTI has been awaiting hearing and verdict for over four years now," Ramesh said.
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Won't contest bypolls until EC prevents fake voting: Mayawati
Lucknow (PTI): BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday alleged irregularities in voting in the recent Uttar Pradesh bypolls and said her party will not contest by-elections in future, particularly in the state, "until Election Commission takes measures to prevent fake voting".
By-elections to nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh were held on November 20 and results of it were declared on Saturday. Bahujan Samaj Party contested all nine seats but failed to win any.
"In the bypolls held for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, there is widespread discussion about the votes cast and the results announced yesterday. I am not saying this myself; it is a common perception among people that earlier, during elections conducted with ballot papers, fake votes were cast by misusing the system, often through fraud," Mayawati said in a press conference here.
"Now, similar practices are being carried out using EVMs, which is a matter of deep sorrow and concern for democracy," the former UP chief minister said.
Not only this, but these activities are now being executed more openly, especially during by-elections, as opposed to general elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, she claimed.
"We recently witnessed this in the Uttar Pradesh bypolls. Similar concerns have also been raised regarding the recent general elections in Maharashtra. This is a major warning bell for democracy in our country," she said.
"Given this situation, our party has decided that until the Election Commission of India takes strict measures to prevent fake voting, we will not participate in any by-elections across the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. I am specifically referring to by-elections here," Mayawati said.
As far as general elections are concerned, she continued, there is a somewhat better safeguard because the fear of power changing hands makes the ruling party more cautious.
"In general elections, it is not guaranteed that the party in power will return to power and another party may take over. This fear keeps the government machinery somewhat restrained," she added.
Considering all these factors, our party will contest general elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies with full preparation and strength, Mayawati stressed.
In the bypolls, the BJP and its ally RLD together won seven seats while Samajwadi Party candidates emerged victorious on two.
